6 questions you must ask a recruiter before the interview

It’s an early Saturday morning and you get a call from a recruiter who was impressed with your LinkedIn profile. You are still half asleep, so you only manage to utter a muffled “Yes, I’ll be there” when they mention an interview. After a few minutes, reality hits you and you realize that you didn’t ask for any details about the job!

The first call you get from a recruiter or an employer about a job is very important. Sometimes, it might even be more important than the job interview. You get a chance to create a great first impression on the recruiter by asking smart questions about the job. Here are some questions to help you give a better performance the next time a recruiter calls you:

1. Are you an internal or external recruiter?

Recruiters are of two types: internal recruiters and external recruiters. An external recruiter is a third party while the internal recruiter works exclusively with the hiring company. Knowing whom you are talking to will help you decide on the follow-up questions. An internal recruiter can give you answers about the company’s work culture while an external recruiter can tell you about other job opportunities that might suit you.

2. Who is your ideal candidate?

Remember to take notes when the recruiter answers this question. The recruiter will be able to tell you a lot more than what the job posting mentions. Ask other questions to get all the information you need. This will help you shape your answers during the interview.

3. How long will the hiring process take?

Some companies take months to fill a position, while others fill it in less than four weeks. Asking this question will help you plan out your next steps in the job search.

4. What’s the company’s work culture like?

The best way to weed out toxic workplaces is to gain an understanding of their culture. Of course, you must research the company before the interview. While the company website and social media can only give you so much information, your recruiter would be able to provide more insight.

5. What’s the starting salary range for this job?

Get an idea of what the employer is willing to offer you earlier in the hiring process. This way, if the company isn’t willing to pay you the figure you want, you can look for other prospects earlier. While we usually advise you to keep salary negotiations with the employer until after an interview, it is fine to discuss salary with a recruiter. Their answer will help you prepare better to answer the salary questions during an interview.

6. Who’s interviewing me?

It could be a one-on-one interview, a panel interview, or a group interview. Knowing what you're getting yourself into will help you perform better on the day of the interview. Write down the names and job titles of the interviewers as the recruiter tells you. Later, you can do a bit of research on them on LinkedIn. This will help you make a personal connection with the interviewer that day.